DVO’s issued in local police command enforceable nationwide

Changes to Australian laws will assist police make nation-wide inroads into domestic violence.Contributed

WHILE domestic violence reports in Coffs Clarence Local Area Command remain among the highest in NSW, local MP Andrew Fraser believes the introduction of model laws will hold perpetrators accountable nationwide.

“These laws mean Domestic Violence Orders (DVO) issued to protect victims and their families in the Coffs Harbour electorate will be automatically recognised and enforced across state and territory borders,” Mr Fraser said.

“The national recognition scheme will improve information sharing across borders and better protect the safety of victims if they choose to move interstate.”

Last December, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to automatically recognise and enforce DVO’s nationally, including New Zealand orders registered in Australia.

This means the NSW Police Force will be able to work more closely with interstate counterparts to target, monitor and reduce domestic violence offending.

A victim will no longer need to register an interstate order in a NSW court, which can be traumatising for victims and potentially alert a perpetrator to their new location.

The Law, Crime and Community Safety Council will work with COAG to oversee the establishment of an interim national information sharing system for DVO’S.